cause
gb/kˈɔz/ us/kˈɔz/
A2
English
~ 1100
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
relation
1
Reason for an event or action
The reason why something happens.
Usage pattern:
the cause of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cause' with 'reason' in formal writing; 'cause' often relates to direct origin, while 'reason' can be broader.
Synonyms
reason (More general; may not imply direct responsibility or origin.)
|
source (Focuses on the starting point of something, often physical or abstract.)
Antonyms
effect (Refers to the result rather than the origin of an event.)
Collocations
main cause
|root cause
|common cause
|underlying cause
|direct cause
Themes
daily life
|science
|news
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The police are still investigating the cause of the fire.
- Poor maintenance was the main cause of the accident.
- Stress can be a cause of many health problems.
- Scientists are trying to find the cause of climate change.
Learner examples
- The rain was the cause of the flood.
- Smoking is a cause of lung disease.
- The cause of the noise was a broken machine.
Verb
A2
action
2
Make something happen
To make something happen.
Usage pattern:
to cause [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'cause' for positive events; while possible, it is more often used for negative outcomes.
Synonyms
bring about (Often used for gradual or complex results.)
|
provoke (Implies causing a strong reaction, often emotional or physical.)
Antonyms
prevent (Means to stop something from happening before it starts.)
Collocations
cause damage
|cause trouble
|cause harm
|cause a problem
Themes
daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The heavy rain caused flooding in the area.
- His careless words caused her great pain.
- The delay was caused by technical problems.
- Lack of sleep can cause serious health issues.
Learner examples
- Smoking can cause cancer.
- Loud music can cause ear pain.
- Rain can cause traffic problems.
Noun
B1
entity
3
Goal or principle people support
A goal or idea that people work for or believe in.
Usage pattern:
support [a/the] cause
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse this meaning with 'reason'; here it refers to an aim or principle, not an explanation.
Synonyms
movement (Emphasizes organized group action toward a goal.)
|
mission (Implies a moral or purposeful duty.)
Antonyms
opposition (Refers to active resistance against a goal or principle.)
Collocations
fight for a cause
|support a cause
|dedicate oneself to a cause
Themes
politics
|charity
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has dedicated her life to the cause of human rights.
- Many volunteers joined the cause to protect the environment.
- They donated money to the cause of education reform.
Learner examples
- We work for the cause of peace.
- He gave money to the cause of helping children.
- She fights for the cause of clean water.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cause
IPA
GB/kˈɔz/
US/kˈɔz/
Syllables & stress
cause (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (cause)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: cause
- Plural: cause, causes
Verb
- Base: cause
- 3rd Person Singular: causes
- Present Participle: causing
- Past: caused
Word family
Expressions
cause trouble
1/kˈɔz tɹˈʌbəl/
fixed phrase
Create problems for others
To do something that makes problems for other people.
Examples
- He was always causing trouble at school.
- Don't cause trouble for your parents while they're away.
just cause
1/d͡ʒˈʌst kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
formal
Fair and legal reason for action
A good and fair reason, often in law or employment situations.
Examples
- An employee can only be fired for just cause.
- The protest was held with just cause.
lost cause
1/lˈɔst kˈɔz/
idiom
Goal with no chance of success
Something that has no hope of succeeding.
Examples
- Trying to fix that old car is a lost cause.
- They knew the campaign was a lost cause but continued anyway.
root cause
1/ɹˈut kˈɔz/
fixed phrase
Most basic reason for problem
The main reason why something happens, not just the surface problem.
Examples
- We need to find the root cause of the error.
- Poverty is often the root cause of crime.